Ventomaxx What you need to know about room ventilators

Room ventilators are an important part of a healthy and efficient indoor climate these days. But what exactly does this term mean and what functions do room fans perform in our homes? In this article, you will learn everything there is to know about the different types of room fans and how they can be used. From passive outside air inlets to active fans with and without heat recovery and decentralised ventilation units – we will shed light on the variety and functioning of these important components in the field of room air quality.

Natural vs. mechanical ventilation: an overview of air transfer devices and room ventilators

When it comes to indoor ventilation, there are two main types of ventilation system: natural and mechanical ventilation. Understanding air diffusers (ALD) in natural ventilation: Passive air diffusers (ALD) play a crucial role in natural ventilation, a sustainable approach to improving indoor air quality. These devices are designed to let fresh outside air into a building, promoting a continuous flow of air that improves comfort, health and energy efficiency.

Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation is based on the principle of air exchange through windows, doors or air diffusers (ALD), often through thermal uplift or wind pressure. Advantages:

No energy costs: No external energy source is required.
Low maintenance: Little to no maintenance is required.

Mechanical ventilation

With mechanical ventilation, air exchange is achieved by means of a ventilation system that actively removes stale air and supplies fresh air. Depending on the design, mechanical room ventilators can integrate various additional functions such as humidity sensors or heat recovery. Advantages:

Controlled air exchange: Ensuring constant air quality, regardless of external conditions.
Integrated functions: Mechanical fans can be equipped with humidity sensors and heat recovery, resulting in greater efficiency and comfort.

Comparison: Natural Ventilation/Passive Air Diffusers (ALD)

Criteria	Natural Ventilation	Mechanical Ventilation
Energy Consumption	None	Medium to high
Air Quality Control	Low	High
Maintenance Effort	Low to none	Regular (filter changes, maintenance)
Flexibility	Depends on building and weather	High adaptability to needs

A mechanical room ventilator ensures continuous air exchange, which is important for reducing pollutants, humidity and odours. Room ventilators come in different forms, including passive outside air inlets and active ventilators with or without heat recovery. The way a room ventilator works depends on its type. Passive outside air inlets use natural air currents to let fresh air into the room. Active fans, on the other hand, use fans to promote air circulation. Room fans with heat recovery are particularly efficient because they use the heat from the outgoing air to preheat the incoming air. This helps to save energy and prevent heat loss. Room ventilators usually operate quietly and unobtrusively in the background. They can be automatically controlled as needed to ensure optimal air quality in the room. Choosing the right room ventilator depends on various factors, including room size, air quality requirements and personal preferences.

The different types of mechanical room ventilators

When it comes to room ventilators, you often have the choice between centralised and decentralised solutions. Centralised room ventilators are usually integrated into a centralised ventilation system that covers several rooms or even the entire building. This centralised ventilation system ensures that fresh air is distributed evenly throughout the house. Decentralised room ventilators, on the other hand, are independent devices that ventilate a specific room. They offer the option of ventilating individual rooms without having to integrate the entire house into the ventilation system. A central ventilation system has the advantage of ensuring a large-scale and even air distribution. This can be beneficial in larger buildings or homes to ensure constant air quality. However, central room fans also involve higher installation costs and require careful planning. Decentralised room fans, on the other hand, offer a flexible solution for ventilating individual rooms and addressing specific needs. They are generally easier to install and allow independent control of ventilation in different areas of the house. This can be particularly advantageous in renovation or retrofitting projects where a central ventilation system is difficult to implement. The decision between centralised and decentralised room ventilation systems ultimately depends on the individual requirements, the building structure and the preferences of the consumer. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is advisable to weigh up the respective properties well in order to find the optimal solution for the specific application.

Centralised vs. decentralised room ventilation

The decision between centralised and decentralised room ventilation is of crucial importance for architects and planners, as it determines the complexity of the planning and the flexibility of the ventilation system.

Criteria	Central Ventilation Units	Decentralized Ventilation Units
Installation Effort	High (duct system)	Low (localized in rooms)
Flexibility	Low	High
Retrofitting	Complex	Simple
Investment Costs	High	Medium

Planning room ventilation

Careful planning of room ventilation is crucial to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the ventilation system. Architects and planners should consider various factors when planning:

Room use: Different rooms have different ventilation requirements. For example, bathrooms and kitchens require more intensive ventilation due to the higher moisture levels.

Building type: New buildings often offer more flexibility in planning, while for existing buildings, the possibility of retrofitting and structural conditions must be taken into account.

Energy efficiency: The use of room ventilation with heat recovery can significantly reduce energy consumption. Regulatory requirements: Compliance with regulations and standards that apply to the respective construction project is mandatory. Another important point when planning room ventilation is choosing the right ventilation system. Factors such as noise level, energy efficiency, sound insulation and possible additional functions such as heat recovery play a role here.

Depending on the specific requirements of your project, you should select the appropriate ventilation system to create an optimal indoor climate. When installing room fans, it is advisable to seek professional help to ensure that the ventilation solution is implemented properly and efficiently. A well-thought-out installation concept can help to ensure that the room fan works optimally and contributes to a healthy indoor climate in the long term.

Room ventilators with heat recovery: useful or superfluous?

Whether or not room ventilators with heat recovery are useful or superfluous depends on various factors. These types of ventilation systems have the advantage of using the warm exhaust air to heat the fresh outside air before it enters the room. This saves energy and creates a pleasant indoor climate. Room ventilators with heat recovery can offer significant added value, particularly in well-insulated buildings where natural air exchange is limited. They enable controlled ventilation of the room without unnecessarily losing heat. This not only saves energy, but also contributes to living comfort. Another aspect that speaks in favour of the usefulness of room fans with heat recovery is mould prevention. Controlled ventilation regulates the humidity in the room, which counteracts the formation of mould and thus protects the building fabric. When deciding whether a heat recovery ventilation unit is the right choice, individual needs and the building fabric should be taken into account. In modern, energy-efficient buildings, these systems are often a sensible investment that leads to long-term savings on heating costs and an improved indoor climate. It is therefore advisable to seek expert advice to find the optimal ventilation solution for your home. Room ventilators with heat recovery can be a sustainable and efficient option for ensuring fresh air and comfort within your own four walls.

Tips for choosing the right room fan for your home:

Before you decide on a room fan, there are a few important aspects to consider to ensure that you find the optimal solution for your home.

1. Room size: Start by determining the size of the room in which the room fan is to be installed. The air flow rate of the fan must match the room size and individual requirements.

2. Noise pollution: Pay attention to the noise protection of the room fan, especially if it is installed in living rooms or bedrooms. A quiet room fan ensures pleasant quiet.

3. Energy efficiency: Choose a room fan that works in an energy-efficient manner and thus saves energy costs in the long term. Models with heat recovery offer a particularly efficient solution here.

4. Installation location: Consider where the room ventilator should be installed. You need to choose the right design and installation type depending on the space requirements and integration into the existing structure.

5. Filter and air quality: Check whether the room ventilator has filters that improve the air quality. Special filters are particularly important in environments with high dust or pollen levels.

6. Control and operation: Check the operating options of the room fan. User-friendly control and the option of individual ventilation adjustment are important criteria.

7. Costs and budget: Take into account the purchase costs of the room fan as well as any installation and maintenance costs. Compare different models to find the best value for money. With these tips, you can ensure that you choose the right room fan for your home and thus ensure efficient and healthy air circulation.

Costs and possible financing

The costs for room ventilation systems vary depending on the type, size and functionality of the ventilation units. Passive outside air inlets are usually cheaper to purchase, while active fans with heat recovery can be somewhat more expensive due to their technical complexity. When it comes to financing room ventilation systems, there are various options for covering the investment. For the use of room fans in new buildings or renovation projects, funding programmes or grants can be considered. Often, state institutions support the installation of energy-efficient ventilation systems that lead to savings in energy consumption. Find out about regional funding opportunities to get financial support.

There are various options available for financing ventilation systems:

Subsidy programmes: In many countries, there are state subsidies for the installation of energy-efficient ventilation systems, particularly in the case of energy-related renovations.

Tax write-offs: The costs of ventilation systems can often be written off as operating expenses, which reduces the financial burden.

Loans and credit: Some banks offer special loans for financing energy-related measures. Architects and planners should inform their customers about these options at an early stage in order to find the economically optimal solution for the construction project. The long-term savings from the efficient operation of room ventilation should also be considered. By reducing energy costs and potentially improving the indoor climate, room ventilation can pay for itself in the long term.

What you need to know about room ventilators